Garment hanger

ABSTRACT

A garment hanger includes a garment support structure having first and second arms arranged for supporting the opposed shoulders of a garment. These two arms are rigid and in a fixed relation to each other. A hook member is included and configured for suspending the hanger from a support structure, and a means or structure is provided for coupling the hook member to the garment support structure enabling both the first and second arms to rotate in substantially a same plane about a generally horizontal pivot axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. provisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/435,156, filed on Jan. 21, 2011, and which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to garment hangers, and moreparticularly, to a garment hanger having arms that pivot about a pivotaxis point on the hanger hook/neck.

BACKGROUND

Most common garment (or clothes) hangers are constructed of plasticmaterial. The plastic material, as well as the process formanufacturing, is relatively inexpensive. However, the arms andhook/neck are rigid and usually rigidly affixed together. Other hangersare generally more expensive because of the material (e.g., wood, metal,etc.) used or because they include additional functionality (e.g.,folding, foldable arms, use for special garments, collapsible, etc.).

The common relatively inexpensive plastic hanger has at least onedrawback—when a user pulls a garment from the hanger, the hanger canbreak. This is especially problematic for smaller hangers used mainlyfor children's garments, as they tend to be smaller and more prone tobreaking. In addition, due to their height size and lack of experiencewith hangers, children and toddlers often pull downward (from below) onthe garment while the hanger remains on the rod while attempting toremove the garment. Many times, due to the rigidity of the arms, as thegarment is pulled (usually at one side) downward one arm of the hangerrotates downward and the other arm rotates upward. At the same time, thegarment usually gets caught to the smaller neck area and the child tendsto pull harder on garment. As a result of this force, the hanger arm(s)or neck may break.

Accordingly, there is needed a relatively inexpensive (material andmanufacture) garment hanger that resists such forces and reduces thelikelihood of breakage.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided agarment hanger including a garment support structure having first andsecond elongated arms arranged for supporting the opposed shoulders of agarment. The first and second arms are configured in a rigid and fixedrelation to each other, and each of the first and second elongated armshaving an outer end spaced apart relative to one another. The hangerincludes a hook member configured for suspending the hanger from asupport structure. The hanger further includes a structure for couplingthe hook member to the garment support structure and for enabling boththe first and second arms to rotate in substantially a same plane abouta generally horizontal pivot axis.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the artmay better understand the detailed description that follows. Additionalfeatures and advantages of the present disclosure will be describedhereinafter that form the subject of the claims. Those skilled in theart should appreciate that they may readily use the concept and thespecific embodiment(s) disclosed as a basis for modifying or designingother structures for carrying out the same or similar purposes of thepresent disclosure. Those skilled in the art should also realize thatsuch equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe claimed invention in its broadest form.

Before undertaking the Detailed Description below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like. Definitions for certainwords and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those ofordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not mostinstances, such definitions apply to prior uses, as well as future uses,of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likenumbers designate like objects, and in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate front and side views of a garment hanger inaccordance with one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a more detailed and exploded view of one embodimentof a coupling means shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate two different positions of the hanger arms asthey are rotated counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively;

FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a pivot pin for coupling hanger armsto the hook/neck member; and

FIGS. 6-12 illustrate different embodiments of the coupling mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-12 and the various embodiments used to describe the principlesof the present disclosure in this patent document are by way ofillustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit itsscope. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principlesdescribed herein may be implemented with any type of suitably arrangeddevice and/or devices.

To simplify the drawings, reference numerals from previous drawings maysometimes not be repeated for structures that have already beenidentified.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown a front view and a sideview, respectively, of garment hanger 100 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure. The hanger 100 includes a garmentsupport structure 102 having two elongated arms 104, 106. Each of thearms 104, 106 are adapted for supporting a different shoulder of agarment (e.g., shirt, T-shirt, dress, sweater, and the like). In oneembodiment, the arms 104, 106 are about equal in length to each other inthe hanger 100, though they may be of different lengths.

Each of the arms 104, 106 includes an outer end 114, 116, respectively.In the embodiment illustrated, each of the arms 104, 106 extendsgenerally downwardly relative to the other arm, and the outer ends 114,116 are interconnected to by an elongated lower cross member 120. Suchinterconnections are, preferably, integrally formed and curved in orderto avoid catching or snagging any portion of a garment. In anotherembodiment (not shown), the cross member 120 may be omitted.

The arm 104 and the arm 106 of the garment support structure 102 arestructured or configured to be in a fixed relation with respect to eachother. In other words, not only are the arms 104, 106 in a fixedrelation, the outer end 114 and the outer end 116 are also in a fixedrelation to each other. In other words, the arms 104 and 106 are adaptedor structured such that they do not fold or move relative to each other.This may be accomplished by constructing the garment support structure102 of a single unitary piece of material (e.g., plastic, wood, metal)or rigidly attaching or securing multiple structures together

The hanger 100 includes a hook 130 for supporting the hanger 100 from acloset rod 132 or other similar structure (shown in dashed outline inFIG. 1). The hanger 100 further includes a hanger neck 134 coupled tothe hook 130. The neck 134 is generally a smoothly arcuate structurewhich terminates at a coupling end 140. A coupling means 140 provides acoupling mechanism (or function) that allows or enables the garmentsupport structure 102 to pivot in relation to the hook 130 (and neck134) and about a pivot axis 150. The pivot axis 150 extends in thehorizontal direction (into and out of the drawing page in FIG. 1) asshown in FIG. 2. Thus, the two arms 104, 106 rotate in a circulardirection about the pivot axis 150. As will be understood, the extent ofrotation will generally be limited by the dimensions and configurationof the arms 104, 106 and the hook 130/neck 134.

As will be described in more detail set forth below, the coupling means140 may include a portion of the hook 130/neck 134, a portion of thegarment support structure, one or more additional structures, or acombination of any of these.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 (and illustrated in more detailin FIG. 3), the coupling means 140 includes a pivot pin 150 that securesan end portion 152 of the hook 130/neck 134 to the garment supportstructure 102. The end portion 152 (e.g., female portion) has a shapesimilar to a fork, and includes two spaced apart downwardly extendingportions 154, with each portion 154 including an aperture 156 (forreceiving the pivot pin 150). A portion 158 (e.g. male portion) of thegarment support structure 102 also includes an aperture 159 (forreceiving the pivot pin 150). In this embodiment, the pivot pin 150 mayhave a structure similar to a rivet, axle, kotter pin or the like.

In this particular embodiment, the coupling mechanism includes at leastthe pivot pin 150, and may further be considered to include the twospaced apart downwardly extending portions 154 and the portion 158 ofthe structure 102. Various other coupling mechanisms 140 may be utilizedas desired, so long as each provides the desired function of allowingthe ends 104, 106 to rotate relative to the hook 130/neck 134 and aboutan axis point. It will be understood that persons of ordinary skill inthe art can readily identify coupling mechanism 140 that may beutilized.

Now turning to FIGS. 4A and 4B, there are shown front views illustratingrotational movement of the ends 104, 106 of garment support structure102 of the hanger 100 of FIG. 1.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the pivot pin 150 may be a push-inpin or fastener, in which the pin 150 is squeezed for insertion throughthe apertures 156 and aperture 159, and once inserted, the pin 150expands to lock into place. This type of pin may be constructed of anysuitable material, such as plastic (e.g., nylon). Advantages of usingthis type of coupling mechanism include smaller packaging and shippingconvenience, since the garment support structure 102 and the hook130/neck 134 structure can be packaged, shipped and/or purchasedseparately from each other. Using this type of pin or fastener, a usercan easily assemble the two main hanger portions (102 and 130/134) intoa fully assembled garment hanger 100.

Another embodiment of the coupling mechanism 140 is shown in FIG. 6.This is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, except themale/female portions are reversed—as shown.

Turning to FIG. 7, there is shown an alternative embodiment of thecoupling mechanism 140. The forked configuration has been deleted andthe two portions 102 and 130/134 are simply positioned adjacent to oneanother and interconnected about the pivot point, as shown. This may beaccomplished using the pivot pin 150, or some similar structure such asa snap pin or rivet. The ends of the hook member/neck 130/134 and thesupport structure 102 may be suitably structured or configured to enablea rotational pivot point, as described earlier. In this embodiment, the102 structure is considered as the “female” portion. As will beappreciated, and though not shown, the embodiment in FIG. 7 may bereversed, such that the structure 102 may be alternatively configured tobe considered as the “male” portion.

Now turning to FIG. 8, there is shown is shown another embodiment of thecoupling mechanism 140. Instead of having differently configured ends(i.e., male and female), each of the end portions have an aperture and apivot pin (snap pin or rivet, etc.) is disposed therebetween to connectthem.

Now turning to FIG. 9, there is illustrated another embodiment of thecoupling mechanism 140. The portion 130/134 includes a ball-shapedportion 900 while the structure 102 is structured with a receivingportion 902 having an opening therein for receiving the portion 900. Thedimensions of the structures are sized to allow the portion 902 to“snap” into the opening of the portion 902. One connected, the amount offorce necessary to remove the portion 900 is substantial. In addition,and though not shown, the end receiving portion 902 may be configured orstructured to deform or allow relatively easy insertion of theball-shaped portion 900 into the receiving portion 902. Shapes otherthan the shape of a round ball may be utilized, as appropriate. Inaddition, once inserted, the structure 102 may pivot (rotate and twist)about a pivot point in all directions. This may be beneficial in someapplications. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the couplingmechanism includes members 904 that restrict movement of the structure102 relative to the hook/neck 130/134. In one embodiment, the structure102 is prevented from rotating about the hook/neck 130/134. In anotherembodiment, the structure is restricted such that it is only allowed tomove about the pivot axis in a single plane—that plane being illustratedin FIGS. 4A and 4B. Different structure(s) or member(s) may be utilizedas part of the structure 102, the hook/neck 130/134 or both, to providethis functionality.

Now turning to FIG. 10, this embodiment is similar to the one describedin FIG. 9, however the structure 120 includes the ball-shaped portion900 (or similar structure) and the hook/neck 130/134 includes thereceiving portion 902. This embodiment may also include other structuresor members such as 904, etc. to restrict movement as described above.

Now turning to FIG. 11, there is illustrated another embodiment (twoviews) of the coupling mechanism 140. The portion 130/134 includes areceiving portion 1100 which receives a ball-shaped portion 1102. Thereceiving portion 1110 is hook-shaped, as illustrated, and includes twoprongs or forks (as shown). The dimensions of the structures are sizedto allow the portion 1102 to rest within the “hook” of the portion 1102.Shapes other than the shape of a round ball may be utilized, asappropriate. In addition, once inserted, the structure 102 might pivot(rotate and twist) about a pivot point in all directions. This may bebeneficial in some applications. In another embodiment, the couplingmechanism includes additional structures or members 904 (not shown) thatwill restrict movement of the structure 102 relative to the hook/neck130/134. In one embodiment, the structure 102 will only be allowed tomove about the pivot axis in a single plane—that plane being illustratedin FIGS. 4A and 4B. Different structure(s) or member(s) may be utilizedas part of the structure 102, the hook/neck 130/134 or both, to providethis functionality.

Now turning to FIG. 12, there is illustrated another embodiment (twofigures) of the coupling mechanism 140. The portion 130/134 includes areceiving portion 1200 which receives a pin-shaped portion 1202. Thereceiving portion 1200 includes two downwardly extending portions withinner surfaces. The inner surfaces include protrusions or ridges 1204for contacting or mating with corresponding indentations or valleys 1206in the pin-shaped portion 1202 of the structure 102. The protrusions1204 and indentations 1206 will be configured to “snap” together whenthe two portions are aligned and pushed together. Once snapped in place,a substantial force may be required for removal. Thus, the receivingportion 1200 will beneficially be configured or structured to deform tosome degree with force is applied for insertion of the pin-shapedportion 1202. Once inserted, removal will likely require a substantialamount of additional force. The shape of the protrusions 1204 and theindentions 1206 (and the portions 1200, 1202) will restrict movement ofthe structure 102 relative to the hook/neck 130/134. In one embodiment,the structure 102 will only be allowed to move about the pivot point(becoming a pivot axis) in a single plane—that plane being illustratedin FIGS. 4A and 4B. Different structure(s) or member(s) may be utilizedas part of the structure 102, the hook/neck 130/134 or both, to providethis functionality.

As will be appreciated with respect to the embodiment in FIG. 12, theprotrusions 1204 and indentations 1206 may be switched—that is, theportion 1200 may include the indentions 1206 while the portion 1202 mayinclude the protrusions 1204. Similarly, the female/male configurationmay be switched—that is, the portion 1200 may be the “male” (having thepin-shape) and the portion 1202 may be the “female” (having thereceiving portion).

In any of the foregoing embodiments, it may be desirable for thestructure 102 (with the arms 104, 106) to be relatively stationary underambient conditions. That is, at rest (without any force), the hanger 100will be in the ambient condition as shown in FIG. 1. To prevent anyunwanted pivoting movement due to a relative light force applied (i.e.,moving the hanger with or without a garment, or a steady state with agarment), the surface(s) of the coupling mechanism 140 may include acoating or material that causes a low amount of friction which resultsin the structure 102 not pivoting under normal conditions (nosubstantial force applied to a garment thereon or to the structure 102).In addition, the dimensions of the members in the coupling mechanism 140may be selected such that a low amount of friction is present undernormal conditions.

The hanger 100 is typically, formed of a rod-shaped material but is notlimited thereto. In one embodiment, the two hanger portions are formedof any suitable material known to those skilled in the art, and the samematerial or different material may be used for the two hanger portions.In one embodiment, the material is plastic material.

Each of the hanger embodiments described herein can be constructed ofvarious conventional materials using various conventional constructionmethods. For example, the hanger can be comprised of molded or preformedplastic with a tubular or rod cross section. The hanger 100 can beformed using, for example, preformed plastic rodding, plasticextrusions, plastic coated wire, plastic tubing, metal tubing, mixturesthereof or the like, as desired.

While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generallyassociated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodimentsand methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,the above description of example embodiments does not define orconstrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterationsare also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure, as defined by the following claims.

1. A garment hanger comprising: a garment support structure having firstand second elongated arms arranged for supporting the opposed shouldersof a garment, the first and second arms in a rigid and fixed relation toeach other, each of the first and second elongated arms having an outerend spaced apart relative to one another; a hook member configured forsuspending the hanger from a support structure; and means for couplingthe hook member to the garment support structure and for enabling boththe first and second arms to rotate in substantially a same plane abouta generally horizontal pivot axis.